Data from 5 years of a long-term, rotational
crossbreeding project were used to
compare breeds for growth and carcass traits.
The traits of interest were direct and maternal
birth and weaning weights, gain on feed, hot
carcass weight, ribeye area, marbling score,
and slaughter age. Angus, Brahman, Hereford,
Charolais, Simmental, and Gelbvieh
breeds were involved. Simmental and
Gelbvieh were used as terminal breeds, so
maternal effects were not calculated for them.
Brahman breeding caused an increased
direct birth weight of the calves, but the maternal
influence of Brahman decreased birth
weight. No difference occurred in maternal
weaning weight among the Angus, Brahman,
Charolais, and Hereford breeds. Charolais
and Simmental breeding increased gain on
feed. Charolais, Simmental, and Gelbvieh
breeding resulted in the heaviest hot carcass
weights and largest ribeye areas. Simmental,
Charolais and Angus breeding resulted in the
most marbling. Hereford and Angus breeding
reduced age at slaughter compared to the
other breeds. All six breeds have some advantages
in the traits studied. Which breed
will work best depends on the production environment
and goals of the producer.

en_US

dc.publisher

Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service